It feels good to be back. Let’s get right into it for the #humpdaycheckdown for Steelers week.
This first week is extra special. This first week is not only the opening weekend or home opener. This is the first year following an asterisk year where no fans were allowed in the stands. This is 2 teams on opposite ends of QB glory. This is 2 teams with something, everything to prove this week, and this season. 2 Heroes at the helm under center, and 2 coaches that once roamed the same sideline, and side of the ball. This game is more important than many drunken attention hogs wearing their shiny new jerseys want or care to admit. Bills fans better buck up and get ready for a fight.
Heavyweight Slobberknocker
The Steelers aren’t coming in thinking the same way Vegas is.
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 3:15 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Steelers +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Bills -280 (bet $280 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Steelers +6.5, -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Bills -6.5, -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Total (O/U): 47.5, Over -112 (bet $112 to win $100) | Under -108 (bet $1108 to win $100)
Vegas has the Bills by 6.5, but there’s no chance that Mike Tomlin and the Steelers think that. The Steelers are coming off a disappointing finish to an incredibly overachieving beginning. After wins over TEN, CLE, BAL x2, they went to Washington and got slapped, then turned around and ran the same gameplan versus the Bills and got buried. They never recovered, after 11 straight wins to start the year they fell to 12-4 and bowed out in the playoffs to the Browns after giving up a win to them just 3 weeks prior in the regular season with Mason Rudolf playing, and starters resting.
The bottom line is this, the Steelers are pissed.
They will not walk into Buffalo the same way they did last year, with their tail between their legs, limping after an ego death in Washington. Big Ben, aging as he is, returned for a reason, to win a Super Bowl or bust. Expect to see a fresh team, with fresh legs and a fresh thirst. Big hits, explosive plays, and more hits.
They return to battle the Bills with a new RB, TE, and Offensive Coordinator.
New Heads and Hearts
Pittsburgh enters Buffalo with a serious upgrade at the 3 weaknesses they had on offense. Injury ridden James (John Connah) Connor and Benny Snell are upgraded to Heisman candidate Najee Harris out of Alabama. Question marks surround the new youthful offensive line, having lost Mike Pouncey, as you may remember the corny image of Big Ben weeping. Pat Freiermuth, who you’ll remember if you’ve been listening to the podcast, will certainly add a key red zone and 3rd down target.
Possibly the best addition or upgrade is Matt Canada, who steps in to call the plays for Ben and his stable of horses. No shortage of weapons offensively at the skill position as tik tokers Juju and Mapletron can both make plays, and Diontae Johnson can run past just about anyone. Expect to see a lot of shifting and movement before the snap on offense to try and get matchups on our defenders.
“Matt Canada once made Nate Peterman Draftable.”
As my great friend and football mastermind SB described the new OC- “Matt Canada once made Nate Peterman Draftable.” Don’t expect the same stale Ben as end of 2020. He will be invigorated with a new approach, at least for a few weeks, including Sunday.
Same Ole Steelers
With Big Ben playing Q, and Mike Tomlin roaming the sidelines staring at people, the Steelers will come with the same hard nosed energy they always do. It won’t be an easy win, despite Vegas and over-optimistic fair weather Billsmafia. Expectations of grandeur surround a Bills team, franchise, and fanbase, but this is nothing new for the Steelers. Pretty much every year they’ve been together, Ben and Tomilin, they’ve made the playoffs, or made a run at a Bowl. They’ve been there, done that. Bills players, coaches and fans haven’t. That’s just reality. The Steelers know what it takes to win a SuperBowl, so this is a great litmus test for the Bills.
The Steelers return Devin Bush from injury, as well as refresh in the defensive backfield. TJ Watt remains uncertain regarding contract negotiations and Steven Tuitt lost to injury, but the defense will attack our offense at every level, attempting to inflict pain and punishment, as per ush for the Steel Curtain. Melvin Ingram joins the troop of pain givers. Keep head on swivel.
Around the Block
Emmanuel Sanders will surely bring a few great plays to the Bills this season, but once upon a time he was a little baby rook for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is remembered in several jerseys, but also is no stranger to Super Bowls. In Pittsburgh he had 2 catches in SuperBowl XLV before being injured and carted off. He would return and win with the Broncos, and also with the 49ers where he would lose to.. Patrick Mahomes. An interesting signing on the field, but a savvy veteran presence to truly help the Bills capture the right attention to the prize. 12 years 3 SuperBowls with 3 teams? Can he make it 4?
The first test on the road back to the Bowl is sunday in Orchard Park in a streetfight with an old friend for both Sanders, and Head Coach Sean McDermott.
Old Young Heads
Sanders and Sean McDermott both share a history with the Steelers as many know, with Sean having battled together with Mike Tomlin at William & Mary. For a great rundown, check out this coverage at William & Mary’s site Click the link or photo below- Both Tomlin and McDermott, who were Tribe teammates from 1993-94 and both served as team captains, are strong candidates for NFL coach of the year distinction after leading their squads to playoff contention. It’s amazing to see both leaders meet up each time, and neither team will walk away without leaving it all on the field. This game will certainly be a heavyweight matchup, with jabs, hooks, uppercuts, and POWER.
Both teams will seek to establish a tone, and each will try to out-scheme each-other on both sides of the ball. Two great figureheads, 2 great franchises, 2 great defenses, 2 great QBs, 2 great skill position groups. It’s going to be a war.
What QB will out duel the other with the ball last?
What defense will make more plays?
What WR group will come through for the QB?
Who will make the last stop?
Stay tuned..
Stay tuned for the Bleumafia podcast Saturday, and the #pregamedump on Sunday AM, where I’ll give my final notes coming into kickoff and get a little more GAMETIME. Thanks for reading
Bills Lovers Everywhere United
